The purpose of this meeting is to consider the draft guidelines of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform providing for the establishment of joint policing committees by local authorities and the Garda Síochána. The draft guidelines were forwarded by the Minister for the committee members' observations. I understand the Minister intends to issue them at the end of this week.
I welcome the officials from the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Chief Superintendent Michael Feehan. A briefing note from the Department was circulated to members of the committee yesterday. It is proposed that Mr. Michael Flahive, assistant secretary in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform outline the main points in the briefing note, after which the officials will take questions from the members.